Scalp and body stimulator



1953 c. BRANDENFELS 86 SCALP AND BODY STIMULATOR Filed June so, 1952 2 Sheet-Sheet 1 v gflm' /0 I o v alum INVENTOR. 0, V Carl B ran den fels ""nnnnnngp? BY 6 g z Nov. 3, 1953 c, B'RANDENFELS 2,657,686

. SCALP AND BODY STIMULATOR Filed June 50, 1952 v 2 Sheets-Sheet '2 W IM IN VEN TOR.

Carl Brandenz els 1g". AH

iatented Nov. 3, 1953 OFFICE sent-P AND BODY 'sTIMULAT'o'R -Garl Brandenfels, St. Helens, Greg. nppiicatioii June '30, 1952,"seria1No.296;319

"Claims. i

This invention relates generally to manipulating'and massaging devices for use on-the limbs, b'ody-andhead of ahuman being and -is-specificall-y related to devices for toning" up the tissues of the human body especially the scalp tissues.

-IEt is the principal object of my invention to provide a machine ror the purpose of providing this stimulation by inducing upwardly movdug-adequatesupluly of'blood to the regions where 'the'hair roots have-not been completely destroyed and to restore circulation 'oi this 'blood in the capillary system and to relieve tension in the scalp tissues.

Another object "of my -invention is to provide a device for inducing artificial and lasting erythem'a by a dilation of the vascular system in the area under stimulation wi-thout detrimental abrasive fric'tion tending't'o break down the tissue "or vascular :system.

Another :object of my invention is to provide a device for stimulating the :area being treated :-and immediately ahead;byi.aismoothiflowing pressure coordinated with the normal heart beat which flushes blood under pressure greater than normally pumped by the heart, and without causing the skin to crawl in the process.

Still another object of :my invention is to provide a compactly designed and simplified machine which may readily be employed to stimulate difierent portions of the human body but particularly the head and neck portions.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a device which permits the removal and replacement of that portion of the device which contacts the'body and thus maintains 'hygenic conditions and to "followthe general contour of any part of 'the'body to which it is applied.

Other objects and advantages and the novel features of my invention and its characteristics will b'e more readilyunder'stood fr'omth'e detailed "description which follows, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part "thereof, em in which;

Fig. 1 is "a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view "of my invention;

Fig. *2 is a vertical, sectional view "of my invention taken on'line "2- 2 of Fig. '1';

Fig. 3 is 'av'ertical, sectional view of my invention entire line 3-3 of Fig. "1';

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, plan view of a portion of the chain and roller assembly, partially in section and broken away to show details of construction;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a deviceem'bodying my invention;

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the "preferred type of roller embodied in my invention;

Fig. '7 is 'a sectional, end view "on line 1- 1 of Figm'fi;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of a modified form of roller;

Fig. 9 is a sectional, end view taken 'on "line 9--9 of Fig. "8;

Fig. *10 is an elevation'al view of still another modified form of roller; and

Fig. 11 is a sectional, end view takenon line 11-4! of Fig. 10.

The structural details of th'epreferredformof the invention is revealed in the drawings and, as shown in Fig. 1, consis'tsof a housing, designated generally by reference character 'A. The housinghas a top sides '2 and *3 and ends "4 and 5. These sides have longitudinal ineurva- 'tious cut-outs as shown at '6, in order to allow that portion of the device contacting "the body to-fit thecontourof any portion oi th'e'body 'to which it may be applied. The housing A, formedof two sections in order to permit assembly and "quick access to the interior-of the *hous- 'ing whenever repair or replacement of the elements confined within the housing 'may 'b'e required, are detachably secured to each other by any desirable means, as by threaded elements 1.

prime mover and gearbox 'assenibly'of any suitable type "adapted'to provide adequatepower to sustain continuous movement of the "rollers in coordinated relation to the normal pulsation of *the heart, generally designated "by reference character 3, is secured to the housing A by any desirable means such as-by being threadab'ly en- 'gagedthereto, as shown at '8. A conductor -cord 9, ha-ving the usual characteristics, is capable "of transmitting energy to the prime mover upon the closing 'of a switch W of any well known construction.

Extending outwardly from the prime mover and gearbox assembly B and into housing A, is shaft -II which is journaled in bearings therein in .9, "well recognized manner. Keyed, sp'lined, or otherwise secured to shaft H, as by theempl'oyment of a threaded'member I12 is-adrivingsprodkct-wheel I 3. The peripheralcontour'of'thedriving sprocket wheel, in transverse view, consists of pairs of oppositely 'disposed'concave surfaces and pairs of oppositely'disposedconvex surfaces, the concavity in the sprocket being complementary to the peripheral contour of theroliersstill to be described. An idler sprocket l t 'havingthe same structural characteristics .as the driving sprocket l'3,is also rotatably disposed inhous'ing A between the side walls thereor and in horizontal alignment to driving sprocket wheel I3, by being keyed, splined or otherwise secured to shaft [5, journaled in the recognized manner between the side walls of housing A.

A plurality of links [6, made of metal or other desirable material and possessin identical dimensional characteristics, are positioned in end to end relationship and hingedly connected to form a closed chain belt. A plurality of links H, possessing the same dimensional characteristics and equal in number to links [5, are also positioned in end to end relationship and hingedly connected to form another closed chain belt. These flexible articulated dual chain belts possessing identical characteristics are, in turn, joined to each other in spaced relation by a plurality of identical pins is forming the connecting hinge between the links of each chain belt and between the respective pairs of links in both chain belts. A bushing made of any desirable material but preferably of a material which has self lubricating characteristics surrounds each pin, is freely rotatable in relation thereto and defines the maximum spacing between the dual chain belts.

Rollers 2!, the length of which is slightly less than bushings 28, are fixedly mounted on the bushings so that the pins !9 act as shafts'for the rollers. distances on the dual chain belt in order for them to apply pressure on the critical portions of the vascular system in coordination with the normal pulsation of the heart. Rollers 25 may be made of any unyielding material, such as a synthetic substance possessing the characteristics of durability, lightness in weight and with any desired peripheral configuration provided the surface creates a minimum of frictional resistance. The preferred form of roller, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, is cylindrical in cross section and has a smooth peripheral surface, although the peripheral surface may be fluted, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, are spiraled, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. Of course other peripheral contours may be employed if desired.

The pins is passing through the pairs of links 46 and I? are fastened in rivet fashion against washers 22 and 23 at their free ends so that free but intimate movement is permitted at the link hinge joints.

The roller and chain assembly, hereinbefore described and generally designated by reference character 0, passes over and has rollers 2| progressively engaged by driving sprocket wheel l3 and idler sprocket wheel it, and travels within housing A in the direction indicated by the arrows shown on the sprockets and the chain and roller assembly C. By this arrangement the lowermost portion of the chain and roller assembly C is substantially in lateral alignment with the open bottom of the housing while the uppermost portion of the chain and roller assembly is fully confined between the sidewalls of housing A.

There is sufiicient flexibility in the dual chain and roller assembly C to permit the rollers to follow the contour of that portion of the body to which the device may be applied. However, it may be desirable to control the degree of flexibility of the dual chain and roller assembly coming in contact with the body and if desired, to take up the slack due to normal wear of the sprockets and rollers. To accomplish this, a plate 24, the width of which is substantially equal to the space between the sidewalls 2 and 3 of hous- These rollers are spaced at well defined 4 ing A, is positioned below the top I and is vertically movable in relation thereto. A threaded member 25, threadably disposed through the top I of housin A is secured to the plate 24 and permits the adjustment of the plate in relation to the dual chain and roller assembly C.

A diaphragm member 26, having high inherent flexibility and made of a natural or synthetic substance impervious to water or body and other oils, has its ends fixedly anchored within the annular channel of collar 2'! which, in turn, is removably secured to the sides 2 and 3 and ends 4 and 5 of housing A by any desirable means, as by a plurality of threaded members 28. By this arrangement the diaphragm member 25 forms a skin or cover without stretch or stress but in a taut relationship to the ends and to the sides of housing A and in normal intimate contact with the rollers 2| on the lowermost portion of the chain and roller assembly C, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5.

From the foregoing description it is clearly evident that when the device is employed against any portion of the body with the diaphragm member contacting the surface of the body, the pressure applied on the device is transmitted to the diaphragm member and as the dual chain and roller assembly travels in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. l, the diaphragm member is stressed sufficiently to produce a progressive waving motion and irrespective of the pressure applied, the skin of the body cannot be abrased or otherwise damaged. As it has been previously pointed out, the speed of the motor and the position of the rollers on the dual chain has been predetermined in order to create this progressive waving motion in heartbeat rhythm so that when the device is applied to a critical portion of the vascular system, such as the arteries immediately adjacent to the ears, the upward movement of the rollers under the diaphragm member induces the blood in the artery toward the scalp area in a rhythm coordinated with the pulsations of the heart. In this manner an adequate blood supply is furnished to the hair roots and scalp tissue and thus by proper treatment, the scalp is toned up and hair growth is stimulated.

Although I have found in actual practice that the device as shown and described is efficient and satisfactory in operation, it is obvious that various changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts which will come within the scope of this invention, and therefore I do not wish to limit myself to the exact construction and arrangement herein shown, except as specified in the following claims, in which I claim:

1. In a body stimulating device, the combination of a portable housing, a pair of sprockets rotatably journaled in said housing, a motor mounted outside the housing, gearing for driving one of the sprockets, a pair of transversely aligned endless chain-belts joined together in spaced relationship, rotatable members supported between said chain-belts, said members extending around and coacting with the sprockets to actuate the chain belts and mounted in relation, to said sprockets to permit the chain belts to yield longitudinally to the housing in order to allow the rotatable members to conform to the contour of the body as the device is moved over and pressed thereagainst, and guard means secured to the housing and extending substantially to the plane of the lower reaches of the chain belts.

2. In a body stimulating device, the combination of a portable housing, a pair of sprockets rotatably mounted in the housing, a pair of endless chain belt transversely aligned and linked together in spaced relationship to each other, rotatable members disposed between the chain belts at each point of juncture of said chain belts, said members coacting with the sprockets to give movement to the chain belts, the rotatabl members being provided with peripheral surfaces adapted to aid in the stimulation of the body, said chain belts and members being mounted in relation to said sprockets to permit them to yield and flex longitudinally so they will conform to the body contours, as the device is moved over and pressed thereagainst, a flexible element secured to the housing in intimate relation to the rotatable members, and power operated means carried by the housing for continuously driving one of the sprockets.

3. In a scalp stimulating device, the combination of a portable housing, a pair of sprockets rotatably mounted in the housing, a pair of transversely aligned endless chain belts linked together in spaced relationship to each other and provided with rotatable elements between them at each point of juncture of said chain belts, said rotatable elements coacting with the sprockets to transmit motion to the chain belts and mounted in relation to said sprockets to permit them to yield longitudinally as the device is moved over and pressed against the scalp, and power operated means carried by the housing for continuously driving one of the sprockets.

4. In a scalp stimulating device, the combination of a portable housing, a pair of sprockets rotatably mounted in the housing, a pair of transversely aligned chain belts linked together in spaced relationship provided with rotatable elements between them at each point of juncture of said chain belts, said elements co-acting with the sprockets to impart motion to the chain belts and mounted in relation to said sprockets to permit them to yield longitudinally as the device is moved over and pressed against the scalp, and power operated means carried by the housing for continuously driving one of the sprockets in one direction.

5. In a scalp stimulating device, the combination of a portable housing, a pair of sprockets rotatably mounted in the housing, a pair of" transversely aligned chain belts linked together in spaced relationship provided with rotatable elements between them at each point of juncture of said chain belts, said elements co-acting with the sprockets to actuate the chain belts and mounted in relation to said sprockets to permit them to yield longitudinally as the device is moved over and pressed against the scalp, power operated means carried by the housing for continuously driving one of the sprockets in one direction, and means for determining the extent of the longitudinal yield of said chain belts.

6. In a scalp stimulating device, the combination of a portable housing, a pair of sprockets rotatably mounted in the housing, a pair of transversely aligned chain belts linked together in spaced relationship provided with rotatable elements between them at each point of juncture of said chain belts, said chain belts being mounted in relation to said sprockets to permit them to yield longitudinally as the device is moved over and pressed against the scalp, means for determining the extent of the longitudinal yield of said chain belts, a diaphragm like member surrounding the lower reaches of the chain belts and disposed in intimate relation thereto, and power operated means carried by the housing for continuously driving one of the sprockets in one direction.

'7. A device characterized as in claim 6 wherein the means for determining the extent of the longltudinal yield of the chain belt comprises a plate mounted in the housing adapted for contact with the peripheries of the rotatable elements mounted between the belts, and a member threadably disposed in relation to the housing and, cooperatively mounted in relation to the plate for adjusting the sam to the preipheries of the rotatable elements.

CARL BRANDENFELS.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

